Cut-out



Patented Oct. 25, 1938 UNITED STATES PA'llsNr oFFlca CUT-OUT Neil A. Dey, Toronto, Dntarlo, Canada, assigner to Dominion Cutout Co. limited, Toronto, n-

tario, Canada Application October 17, 1936, Serial No. 106,122 In Canada November 20, 1935 17 Claims.

said movable parts are released and thus allow,

the fuse cartridge to move out oi' circuit-closing position.

The object of the present invention is to devise improved interengaging contact and latch means controlled by the iuse link, for holding the fuse cartridge in its circuit-closing position.

I attain my object by providing on or in a supll port a U-shaped contact, the legs of which are resilient and formed with inclined spreader portions between which is received a wedge-shaped yoke member slidable longitudinally of the fuse cartridge. Spring means are provided tending to move the yoke member out of its latching position between the legs of the U-shaped contact, said yoke member, however, being normally held in its latching position by means of the fuse link.

The construction is hereinafter more specifically described and is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the cut-out,

Fig. 2 a transverse section 0n the line 2-2 in Fig. 1; and

Fig; 3 a detail front view illustrating the latchving means between the i'use cartridge and the.

support; I

Fig. 4 a sectional detail on the line 4-4 in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5, a vertical sectional detail through the upper cartridge terminal, the parts being in released position.

In the drawing like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the difl'erent ilgures.

I indicates a box-type housing of insulating material and having an open bottom and front, said front, however, being provided with a door 2, also of A insulating material and hingedly mounted adjacent the lower end of the housing.

In the housing are mounted contact or terminal members A and B which are adapted to be engaged by terminal members C and D mounted on the door.

The terminals C and D support the fuse cartridge 3, each being provided with a hole into which the cartridge extends and preferably the cartridge extends some distance below the lower terminal C as shown.

Mounted on the upper terminal D is a movable (Cl. Z110-114) wedge-shaped contact member 4, which is provided with a guide portion 24 which extends into the terminal D. A coil spring 5 is interposed between the terminal D and the contact member 4 and tends to move said contact member 4 upwardly. An annular shoulder 26 at the lower end of the guide portion 24 limits the upward movement of the contact member 4.

The wedge-shaped member 4, however is normally held in its lower position by means of the fuse link 6, which is provided with a head 1 which engages the top of said contact member.

The other end of the fuse link passes around the end of the cartridge and is secured about a post 8, being clamped in position by a nut 9 threaded on said post.

It will be understood however, that I do not desire to restrict myself to the particular form of fuse link shown, or to the method shown of securing the lower end of the fuse link, as other methods may readily be devised, one convenient form of fuse link and method of fastening being shown in the Tate Canadian Patent No. 327,268.

'I'he lower terminal A in the housing which cooperates with the terminal C comprises a base I II which may be secured in the housing in any suitable manner, although I show it provided with a U-shaped securing clip II, the legs o1' which are resilient and are provided with outturned ends which engage in notches 23 in the inner wail of the housing. The base III is provided with a recess I2 for receiving the end of a conductor, one or more set screws I3 being provided for securing the conductor in place. On the base is mounted a brush contact I4, which comprises a series of spring leaves, which engage and complete the electrical contact with the lower terminal C on the door. The brush contact I4 of course tends through its engagement with the terminal C, to move the door 2 to open position.

The upper terminal B in the housing co-operates with the terminal D to complete the circuit and also to hold the door 2 closed. This terminal B, like the terminal A, comprises a base I5, a U-shaped securing clip I6, the legs of which are resilient and provided with outturned ends for engagement in notches 23. This base is also provided with a recess I'I to receive the end of the conductor and with set screws I8 to secure the conductor in place.

Also mounted on the base is a U-shaped latch member or keeper I9, which engages the wedgeshaped contact member 4 on the terminal D to hold the door closed with the fuse cartridge in circuit-closing position. The opposed legs of this latch member I9 are bent to form shoulders 20 which engage the contact member to prevent accidental disengagement of the latter. The ends of thelegs of the latch member I9 are out-wardly flared to facilitate engagement with the contact member l5.

Adjacent the shoulders 2D and at the side nearest the base I5 the legs of the U-shaped member I9 are inclined as shown at 2| to correspond with the shape of the contact member l5, the inclination being such that there is a tendency, if the contact member is not held down by the fuse link, for said contact member to be moved upwardly by the latch member.

As there is danger of cracking or chipping the porcelain housing` or door when closing the latter, I prefer to employ a U-shaped spring member 22, which is secured to the base i5, and prevents direct contact or engagement between the door and housing. I

The operation of the device is as follows. As stated above the wedge-shaped contact member is held in its lower position by the fuse link, and as. long as the contact member is so held the latch member will engage the contact member and thus hold the door closed.

Upon the blowing of the fuse, the wedgeshaped contact member 4 under the action of the spring 5.xwill be raised allowing it to be disengaged from the shoulders 20 and thus allowing the door to open and carry the fuse cartridge to circuit breaking position. This opening of the door is facilitated by thel pressure exerted on the lower terminal C by the brush contact llt. The open door is, of course, an indication as to where a fuse link requires replacement.

To ensure a perfect contact between the uppe:` end of the fuse link and the wedge-shaped contact member, a set screw 25 is threaded through the wall of the latter and jambs the link against the side of the hole. 'Ihis set screw 25 is further utilized to eiect a gastight closure of the openin connection with a cut-out of the enclosed type.

it will be apparent that the arrangement may be employed in and will operate equally as well in an open-type cutout. y v

What I claim as my invention isz- 1. In a cut-out, the combination of a container of` insulating material, a cover hinged to the container, spaced .terminals on said cover for supporting a fuse cartridge, spaced terminals inV the container for engaging the terminals on the cover, one of said terminals in the container comprising a U-shaped contact clip having a shoulder thereon adjacent the outer end of each leg, the co-operating terminal on the cover comprising a wedge-shaped contact member slidable longitudinally on the cartridge and which said U-shaped contact clip is adapted to engage; and a fuse link having one end connected with said wedge-shaped member to hold it in engagement' with the contact clip.

2. In a cut-out, the combination of a container of insulating material, a cover hinged, to

the container, spaced terminals on said cover for supporting a fuse cartridge, spaced terminals 'in the container for engaging the terminals on the cover, one of said terminals in the container comprising a U-shaped contact clip having a shoulder thereon adjacent. the outer end of each leg, the co-operating terminal on the cover comprising a wedge-shaped c ontact member slidable longitudinally on the cartridge and which said U-shaped contact clip is adapted to engage; the surfaces of said contact clip withA which the wedge-shaped member engages being inclined to correspond with said wedge-shaped member; and a fuse link having one end connected'with said wedge-shaped member to hold it in engagement with the contact clip.

l 3. In a cut-out, the combination of a container of insulating material, a cover hinged to the container,` spaced terminals on said cover for supporting a fuse cartridge, spaced terminals in the container for engaging the terminals on the cover, one of said terminals in the container comprising a U-shaped contact clip having a shoulder thereon adjacent the outer end of each leg, the co-operating terminal on the cover comprising a contact member slidable longitudinally on the cartridge and which said U-shaped contact clip is adapted to engage; spring means tending to move said member out of engagement with said clip; and a fuse link having vone end connected with said Wedge-shaped member to hold it in engagement with the contact clip.

4. In a cut-out, the combination of a container of insulating material, a cover hinged to the container, spaced terminals on said cover for supporting a fuse cartridge, spaced terminals in the container for engaging the terminals on the cover, one of said terminals in the container comprising a U-shaped contact clip having a shoulder thereon adjacent the outer end 0f each leg, the co-operating terminal on the cover comprising a wedge-shaped contact member slidable longitudinally on the cartrdige and which said U- shaped contact clip is adapted to engage; spring means tending to move said member out of engagement with said clip; and a fuse link having one endconnected with said wedge-shaped member to hold it in engagement with the contact clip. f

5. In a cut-out, the combination of a con- I.

tainer of insulating material, a cover hinged to the container, spaced terminals on said cover for supporting a fuse cartridge, spaced terminals in the container forv engaging the terminals on the cover, one of said terminals in the container comprising a U-shaped Contact clip having a shoulder thereon adjacent the outer end of eacl'i leg, the co-operating terminal on the cover comprisingk a wedge-shaped contact member slidable longitudinally on the cartridge and which said U-shaped contact clip is adapted to engage; the surfaces of said contact clip with which the wedge-shaped member engages being inclined to correspond with said wedge-shaped member; spring means tending to move said member out of engagement with said clip; and a fuse link having one end connected with said wedge-shaped member to hold it in engagement with the contact clip.

6. In a cut-out, the combination of va container of insulating material, a cover hinged to the container, spaced terminals on said cover for sup-` porting a. fuse cartridge,vspaced terminals in the container for engaging the terminals on the cover, one of said terminals in the container comprising a U-shaped contact clip having a shoulder thereon adjacent the outer end of each leg, the co-operating terminal on the cover comprising a wedge-shaped contact member slidable longitudinally on the cartridge and which said U-shaped contact clip is adapted to engage; and a fuse link having one end connected with said wedge-shaped member to hold it in engagement with the contact clip, the other terminal in the container normally tending to move the cover to open position.

7. In a cut-out, the combination of a support, a fuse cartridge hingediy mounted on said support; spaced terminals on the fuse cartridges; spaced terminals on the support for engaging l the terminals on the cartridge, one of said terminals on the support comprising a U-shaped contact clip having a shoulder adjacent the outer end of each leg, the co-operating terminal on the cartridge comprising a wedge-shaped contact member slidable longitudinally of the cartridge and which said U-shaped contact clip is adapted to engage, and a fuse link having one end connected with said wedge shaped member to hold it in engagement with the contact clip.

8. In a' cut-out, the combination of a support; a fuse cartridge hingediy mounted on said support; spacedterminals on the support for engaging the terminals on the cartridge, one of said terminals on the support comprising a U- shaped contact clip having a shoulder adjacent the outer end of each leg, the co-operating terminal on the cartridge comprising a wedgeshaped contact member slidable longitudinally of the cartridge and which said U-shaped contact clip is adapted to engage, the surfaces of said contact clip with which the wedge-shaped member engages being inclined to correspond with said wedge-shaped member; and a fuse link having one end connected with said wedgeshaped member to hold it in engagement with the contact clip.

9. In a cut-out, the combination of a support; a fuse cartridge hingediy mounted on said support; spaced terminals on the fuse cartridge; spaced terminals on the support for engaging the terminals on the cartridge, one of said ter`- minals on the support comprising a U-shaped contact clip having a shoulder adjacent the outer end of each leg, the co-operating terminal in the cartridge comprising a contact member slidable longitudinally of the cartridge and which said U-shaped contact clip is adapted to engage, spring means tending to move said member out of engagement with said clip, and a fuse link having one end connected with said contact member to hold it in engagement with the contact clip.

10. In a cut-out, the combination of a support; a fuse cartridge hingediy mounted on said support; s'paced terminals on the fuse cartridge; spaced terminals-on the support for engaging the terminals on the cartridge, one of said terminals on the support comprising a U-shaped contact clip having a shoulder adjacent the outer end of each leg, the co-operating terminal on the cartridge comprising a wedge-shaped contact member slidable longitudinally of the cartridge and which said U-shaped contact-clip is adapted to engage; spring means tending to move said member out of engagement with said clip; and afuse link having one end connected with said wedge shaped member to hold it in engagement with the contact clip.

1l. In a cut-out, the combination'of asupport;

a fuse cartridge hingediy mounted on said support; spaced terminalson the fuse cartridge; spaced terminals on the support for engaging the terminals on the cartridge, one of said terminals on the support comprising a U-shaped 6 contact clip having a shoulder adjacent the outer lend of each leg, the co-operating terminal on the cartridge comprising a wedge-shaped contact memberslidable longitudinally of the cartridge and which said U-shaped contact clip is adapted 10 to engage; the surfaces of said contact clip with which the wedge-shaped member engages being inclined to correspond with said wedge-shaped member; spring means tending to move said member out of engagement with said clip, and afuse link having one end connected with said wedge shaped member to hold it in engagement with the contact clip.

l2. In a cut-out, the combination of a support;

a fuse cartridge hingedly mounted on said support; spaced terminals on the fuse cartridge; spaced terminals on the support for engaging the terminals on the cartridge, one of said terminals on the support comprising a U-shaped contact clip having a shoulder adjacent the outer end of each leg, the co-operating terminal on the cartridge comprising a wedge-shaped contact member slidable longitudinally of the cartridge and which said U-shaped contact clip is adapted to engage, and a fuse link having one end ccnnected with said wedge-shaped member to hold it in engagement with the contact clip; the other terminal on the support normally tending to move the cartridge to open position. y

13. In a cut-out, the combination of a container of insulating material, a cover hinged to the container, spaced terminals on said cover for supporting a fuse cartridge, spaced terminals in the container for engaging the terminals on the cover, one of said terminals in the container como prising a U-shaped contact clip having a shoulder thereon adjacent the outer end of each leg, the co-operating terminal on the cover comprising a wedge-shaped contact member slidable longitudinally on the cartridge and which said U- shaped contact clip is adapted to engage; said wedge-shaped member having an opening therethrough in alinement with the bore of the cartridge into which one end of the fuse link extends,

and a set screw extending through said,wedge shaped member for securing the end of the fuse link in position, the diameter of said set screw being greater than the Width of the opening through the wedge-shaped member.

14. In a cut-out, the combination of a container of insulating material, a cover hinged to the container, spaced terminals on said cover for supporting a fuse cartridge, spaced terminals in the container for engaging the terminals on the `\cover, one of said terminals in the container comprising a U-shaped contact clip having a shoulder thereon adjacent the outer end of each leg, the co-operating terminal on the cover comprising a Contact member slidablevlongitudinally on the cartridge and which said U-shaped contact clip is adapted to engage; spring means tending to move said member out of engagement with said clip; and Aa fuse link having one end connected with said Wedge-shaped member to hold it in engagement with the contact clip; said contact member having an opening therethrough in alinement with the bore of the cartridge into which one end of the fuse link extends, and a set screw extending through said contact member for securing the end of the i'uselink in position, the 75 diameter of said set screw being greater than the Width of the opening through the contact member.

15. In a cut-out, the combination of a container of insulating material, a cover hinged to the container, spaced terminals on said cover for supporting a fuse cartridge, spaced terminals in the container for engaging the terminals on the cover, one of said terminals in the container having a pair of spaced arms, the 4co-operating terminal `on the cover -having a wedge-shaped contact member slidable longitudinally of the cartridge into andout of cover-holding position and with which said arms are adapted to engage; a fuse link having one end connected with said Wedge-shaped .member to hold it in cover-holding position; and means normally engaging said wedge-shaped member to hold the door closed when said Wedge-shaped member is in engagement with said arms.

16. In a cutout, the combination of a container of insulating material, a cover hinged to the container, spaced terminals on said cover for supporting a fuse cartridge, spaced terminals in the container for engaging the terminals on the cover, one of said terminals in the container having a pair of spaced arms, the (zo-operating terminal on the cover having a Wedge-shaped contact member slidable longitudinally of the for engaging the terminals of the support, saldi cartridge being hingedly connected with the support, one of said terminals on the support having a pair of spaced arms, the co-operating terminal on the cartridge having a Wedge-shaped contact member slidable longitudinally of the cartridge into and out of circuit-closing position and with which said arms are adapted to engage; a fuse link having one end connected with said wedge-shaped member to hold it in circuit-closing position; and means normally engaging said Wedge-shaped member to hold the cartridge in ,f

circuit-closing position when said wedge-shaped member is in engagement with said arms.

NE1L A. BEY.. 

